Housing for coin selectors

ABSTRACT

The present housing for coin selectors is provided with an electronic circuit wherein are included elements for measuring the variation of the field produced by the passage of coins through a magnetic field generated by a group of coils, said housing being provided, on one of its faces (9) corresponding to the paths of coins, with various ribs (10) parallel to each other and parallel with the rolling ramp for the coins, preferably three ribs, with self-cleaning effect which avoids the deposition of dirt entrained by the coins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a housing for coin selectors,specifically for selectors with electromagnetic coils which generate amagnetic field which is modified by the coins in its path, as a functionof the intrinsic characteristics of each coin; or with selectors havingsensors of an optical type. This housing has been perfected in order toavoid the classical problems arising from dirt deposited by the passingcoins.

One of the most advanced and effective solutions in the area of coinselectors consists of using an electronic circuit in the pathway ofcoins which is capable of measuring the fluctuations in the magneticfield caused by the coins. This field is generated by a series of coils,such that with the collaboration of a series of standard measurements,the device is capable of selecting different types of coins, not only bytheir dimensions but also by the nature of the material from which thecoins are made.

To this end, the housing of the selector is provided with a rolling rampsuitable for the passage of coins and designed to carry out thepertinent measurements. More specifically, the housing is provided withtwo sections joined to one another in a tilted manner, which reach theirlimiting positions through the use of a spring. One of these sectionsincorporates the electronic circuit cited above, and the otherincorporates the electromagnetic coils or optical sensors, as the casemay be, with a "laminar" space defined between the two, which is closedon its lower side by a thin, oblique wall belonging to one of the twosections and which determines the above-cited coin rolling ramp, andwhich is obviously parallel to the imaginary alignment line of thecoils.

Moreover, the coins, because of their constant circulation and change ofownership, are often dirty. This dirt gradually accumulates on the areasof the housing that enter into contact with the coins, specifically onthose areas of the housing where the vital elements of the housing arelocated, that is, on the measurement zone.

This accumulation of dirt on the coin pathways brings with it thefundamental problem of having to periodically and frequently clean theselector; otherwise, the selector will reject the coins.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The housing proposed by the invention has been conceived to fullyresolve this problem. For this reason, its characteristics are centeredon the fact that the sector which contains the electronic circuit, andmore specifically that area which pertains to the location of themeasurement elements, incorporates lengthwise ribs which run parallel tothe trajectory of the coin on the coin rolling ramp; these ribs providea self-cleaning effect and prevent the accumulation of dirt and grime inthis area. This cleanliness is of vital importance for achieving a goodmeasurement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

As a complement to the description being made and for the purpose ofcontributing to a better understanding of the characteristics of theinvention, a single sheet of figures is attached to this specification.These figures are merely illustrative and not limiting, and representthe following:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a coin selector having a housingconstructed in accordance with the objective of the present invention,in which its two sectors appear open, against the pressure of the springconnecting them; and

FIG. 2 is a transverse section view of the housing of FIG. 1 in a closedmode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The housing for the coin selectors according to this invention isstructured on the basis of two sections (1) and (2), joined to oneanother by an axis (3) which permits the tilting of one section withrespect to the other against the tension of a spring (not represented inthe figures). The section (1) of the housing houses the electroniccontrol or selection circuit with its corresponding magnetic fieldvariation sensors; section (2) contains the coils (4), represented by adotted line in FIG. 1. These coils generate the magnetic field which isto be modified by the coins passing through its pathway.

As is also usual, there exists between these sections (1) and (2) of thehousing, an inclined surface or rolling ramp for the coins, consistingof a thin wall (5) emerging from one of the two housing sections. Thisthin wall (5) closes the level chamber (12) defined by sections (1) and(2) at its lower end, from the coin entrance groove (6) to the exitgroove (7) of same, with a detour (8) for the rejection of false ordefective coins.

The invention is centered on the fact that section (1) of the housing,specifically in zone (9) located immediately above channeling therolling ramp and specifically that pertaining to the zone where theelements of measurement of the electronic circuit are located, includesseveral lengthwise ribs or projections (10), which number three as shownin the figures of the practical example, but whose number may varywithout this variation affecting the essence of the invention. Theseribs or projections running parallel to the trajectory of the coinscreate a self-cleaning effect, preventing the buildup of dirt in thevital zone of the apparatus, that is, in the measurement zone (9) citedabove. This allows for a considerable lengthening of the periods betweenmaintenance for the selector.

It is not considered necessary to make this description more extensivefor any expert on the subject to understand the reach of the inventionand the advantages deriving from it.

The materials, form, size, and arrangement of the elements shall besubject to variation, as long as this does not involve an alteration ofthe essence of the invention.

The terms in which this report is described must always be taken intheir broad, and not their limiting, senses.

I claim:
 1. A coin selector housing comprising a first section and asecond section hingedly connected to each other and definingtherebetween a coin receiving chamber when said first and secondsections are in a closed position, said first section including a coinentrance slot at one side thereof and coin exit slots at another sidethereof, said first section accommodating an electronic control circuithaving sensors, said second section accommodating electromagnetic coilsfor generating electromagnetic fields which are varied in response tocoins passing said coin receiving chamber and measured by said sensors,said second section including a wall which defines an inclined rollingramp for coins passing from said entrance slot towards said exit slotswhen said first and second sections are in said closed position, saidfirst section having a surface forming a wall of said coin receivingchamber, said surface including a plurality of spaced-apart, elongated,parallel ribs extending parallel to said rolling ramp and positioned inan area where said control circuit sensors are located to prevent abuildup of dirt carried by the coins passing said chamber, at said area.